Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)

Aditya · 16th October 2009, 15:45

Remember that the chassis of the car will have to be strengthened quite a lot. As it is, a Contessa is flimsily built. Taking the roof off will mean it will have the structural rigidity of a wet biscuit.

reitz · 16th October 2009, 18:41

Thank you for your support mates.....

After having your views I spoke with Sunil and Nigel on their approach towards the body work....

as rightly pointed by all of you, i also had the initial concern on the labor to work on the metal...

Nigel has a team who are on this job, they ave not taken up any large assignments apart from few fiber glass fairings for bikes....

I have a very big question that I would need your suggestions for.....

Nigel and sunil are planning to on with Fiberglass for most of the parts... the bumpers, dash... and body....

My question... will Fiberglass tolerate highspeeds..?
also when they are planning for a v6.....?

As far as the work progress is concerned the car is now completely dismantled.....
two door conversion in progress

outer metal completely chopped off

rear end cutdown to shortern the overall length...

Nigel is padding the car now with thick thermocolsheets.....

he is planing to shape the external looks out of thick thermocol and go with fiberglass on top.....

will keep you updated once I get the snaps

Reitz

CrackedHead · 16th October 2009, 18:49

Do you plan to leave this car parked (as a showpiece) ?

The first thing to do - before you start the bodywork (fiberglass or sheet metal) would be to reinforce the body and the engine bay to provide the strength and rigidity to the roof less frame. Do that and the mounts/changes for the RWD before you proceed with making the car look good.

reitz · 16th October 2009, 18:52

Yes Reinforces are in place...

Nigel is an Ex GM Chief Engineer, so I hope the project is taken care of these steps..

Reitz

ph03n!x · 17th October 2009, 01:48

Any work-in-progress pics would be great. Interesting project, and Contessa is the first car i ever drove (Dad's '89 Petrol!). Getting one and modding has been my dream. Lets see if this pushes me into reality

14000rpm · 17th October 2009, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by reitz

I recently met Mr.Sunil, a car & bike enthusiast who is presently in process of Modding his Contessa to Camero.

the camaro design adapted onto the conti is a good idea.
btw, I had bought a conti a year ago and started on a similar conversion a while ago. I too planned a 2 door coupe out of the conti taking inspiration from the new camaro. but i did not choose to make it a convertible. too risky coz of body rigidity issues. My project will take longer coz of financial issues. outside projects are taking higher priority.

Progamersparsh · 17th October 2009, 19:29

Hmm the sketches look amazing...

reitz · 18th October 2009, 23:51

Hi All

Here are the Stage 1 Modification Pictures

Sunil.s Contessa

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-car.jpg

Car Bumper, grill... removed

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s1.jpg

Side fenders Bonnet removed

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s2.jpg

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s3.jpg

Doors removed and Nigel working on reinforcements

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s4.jpg

B'pillar removed

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s5.jpg

Nigel working on removing the top

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s6.jpg

Removed Top Roof Removed

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s7.jpg

Car Rear Chopped off to reduce the Overall length,

Car Front Glass Frame inclined...

Side outer metal chopped off to work with interior framing... (as this is convertible, Nigel is planning to have cross bars to get extra rigidity...

B'Pillar moved back by approx 1 feet, increased length of front Door...

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s8.jpg

Thick Thermocol sheets attached to car body.... after these sheets are properly dried Nigel would be working on shaping the muscular look on the car...

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s9.jpg

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s10.jpg

Indian Muscle Car Mod : A Modernized Contessa. (w/ WIP Pics!)-s11.jpg

REITZ

heavy_foot · 19th October 2009, 01:14

why have they stuck thermocol sheets? can anyone explain?

pramodkumar · 19th October 2009, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavy_foot

why have they stuck thermocol sheets? can anyone explain?

Thermocol is easy to shape, these will be shapped according to the body design and will act as a mold for fiber glassing.

Pramod

jithudigitised · 19th October 2009, 23:14

So its nicely shaping up.

And the Thermocol idea was new to me.

Waiting for more pics of WIP.

hkanitkar · 19th October 2009, 23:23

Now thats really interesting !

@Reitz - can you PM me where this work is being done ( if in pune ) ?? Would definitely love to see the whole WIP in person.

ph03n!x · 20th October 2009, 02:37

Please post more updates! Am very very interested in this project now

Nitin · 20th October 2009, 02:53

Interesting project! This one and the Harley build up are at the top of my lists 'to follow'.
Good luck!

Progamersparsh · 20th October 2009, 14:56

Great Project!

Those wheels look amazing can u please give me the details about the size\brand of the same?

Have you used PCD adaptor plates to fit them on?

16th October 2009, 15:45	#16
Aditya Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 17,801 Thanked: 76,768 Times View My Garage	Remember that the chassis of the car will have to be strengthened quite a lot. As it is, a Contessa is flimsily built. Taking the roof off will mean it will have the structural rigidity of a wet biscuit.
	() Thanks

16th October 2009, 18:41	#17
reitz BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 67 Thanked: 7 Times	Thank you for your support mates..... After having your views I spoke with Sunil and Nigel on their approach towards the body work.... as rightly pointed by all of you, i also had the initial concern on the labor to work on the metal... Nigel has a team who are on this job, they ave not taken up any large assignments apart from few fiber glass fairings for bikes.... I have a very big question that I would need your suggestions for..... Nigel and sunil are planning to on with Fiberglass for most of the parts... the bumpers, dash... and body.... My question... will Fiberglass tolerate highspeeds..? also when they are planning for a v6.....? As far as the work progress is concerned the car is now completely dismantled..... two door conversion in progress outer metal completely chopped off rear end cutdown to shortern the overall length... Nigel is padding the car now with thick thermocolsheets..... he is planing to shape the external looks out of thick thermocol and go with fiberglass on top..... will keep you updated once I get the snaps Reitz
	() Thanks

16th October 2009, 18:49	#18
CrackedHead BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 585 Thanked: 81 Times	Do you plan to leave this car parked (as a showpiece) ? The first thing to do - before you start the bodywork (fiberglass or sheet metal) would be to reinforce the body and the engine bay to provide the strength and rigidity to the roof less frame. Do that and the mounts/changes for the RWD before you proceed with making the car look good.
	() Thanks

16th October 2009, 18:52	#19
reitz BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 67 Thanked: 7 Times	Yes Reinforces are in place... Nigel is an Ex GM Chief Engineer, so I hope the project is taken care of these steps.. Reitz
	() Thanks

17th October 2009, 01:48	#20
ph03n!x Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 2,564 Thanked: 5,957 Times	Any work-in-progress pics would be great. Interesting project, and Contessa is the first car i ever drove (Dad's '89 Petrol!). Getting one and modding has been my dream. Lets see if this pushes me into reality
	() Thanks

17th October 2009, 19:29	#22
Progamersparsh BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 57 Thanked: 0 Times	Hmm the sketches look amazing...
	() Thanks

18th October 2009, 23:51	#23
reitz BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 67 Thanked: 7 Times	Here are the Stage1 Updates Hi All Here are the Stage 1 Modification Pictures Sunil.s Contessa Car Bumper, grill... removed Side fenders Bonnet removed Doors removed and Nigel working on reinforcements B'pillar removed Nigel working on removing the top Removed Top Roof Removed Car Rear Chopped off to reduce the Overall length, Car Front Glass Frame inclined... Side outer metal chopped off to work with interior framing... (as this is convertible, Nigel is planning to have cross bars to get extra rigidity... B'Pillar moved back by approx 1 feet, increased length of front Door... Thick Thermocol sheets attached to car body.... after these sheets are properly dried Nigel would be working on shaping the muscular look on the car... REITZ
	() Thanks

19th October 2009, 01:14	#24
heavy_foot Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,048 Thanked: 163 Times	why have they stuck thermocol sheets? can anyone explain?
	() Thanks

19th October 2009, 23:14	#26
jithudigitised BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Thiruvananthapuram Posts: 359 Thanked: 141 Times View My Garage	So its nicely shaping up. And the Thermocol idea was new to me. Waiting for more pics of WIP.
	() Thanks

19th October 2009, 23:23	#27
hkanitkar BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: pune Posts: 668 Thanked: 109 Times View My Garage	Now thats really interesting ! @Reitz - can you PM me where this work is being done ( if in pune ) ?? Would definitely love to see the whole WIP in person.
	() Thanks

20th October 2009, 02:37	#28
ph03n!x Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 2,564 Thanked: 5,957 Times	Please post more updates! Am very very interested in this project now
	() Thanks

20th October 2009, 02:53	#29
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Interesting project! This one and the Harley build up are at the top of my lists 'to follow'. Good luck!
	() Thanks

20th October 2009, 14:56	#30
Progamersparsh BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 57 Thanked: 0 Times	Great Project! Those wheels look amazing can u please give me the details about the size\brand of the same? Have you used PCD adaptor plates to fit them on?
	() Thanks